Former University of Cincinnati defensive tackle Mario Monds will try to do for the Bengals what he did for the Bearcats: pressure the quarterback.

        Monds, the sixth-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins, was waived Monday. He was claimed off waivers Tuesday by the Bengals, who terminated the contract of veteran defensive tackle Tom Barndt at the same time.

        Monds, who's 6 feet 3, 325 pounds, hasn't been told what his role will be or even if he'll be active for Sunday's regular-season opener against New England.

        “I haven't heard anything, but I see there's opportunity,” he said. “I want to contribute to a win.

        “That's pretty much my game: get penetration and put a little pressure on the quarterback.”

        Tony Williams and Oliver Gibson are the team's starting tackles. Veteran Glen Steele assumes the top backup role. Veteran end Bernard Whittington also can play tackle.

        As for Monds, “We're giving ourselves a chance to look at a guy with size who had moments at Cincinnati when he was dominant,” Bengals personnel director Jim Lippincott said.

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